With no paid staff, the Friends of the Chapel Hill Public Library is dependent on many volunteers to carry out activities in support of the Library.

No matter how much time a volunteer has available – from a few hours a year to several hours a week – there is a great opportunity for you! Contact us with any questions about volunteer opportunities.

Ways to Help

Book StoreThe Book Store operates seven days a week, and volunteers may either commit to a regular shift of three hours each week or be placed on a substitute list that is notified when a shift needs to be filled. Volunteering in the store requires a one-hour orientation session and two three-hour mentored shifts.

Book Sales
Book sales occur three times a year in April, September, and December with staffing required from Thursday through Sunday for each sale. Volunteers are needed for set up, staffing during the sale, and take down afterwards. Jobs vary from heavy lifting (getting boxes onto hand trucks and distributed to lobby sales rooms) to light duties like cashiering or counting books for customers as they prepare to check out. More information on specific volunteer opportunities and a work shift schedule are sent out to volunteers for sign up prior to each book sale.

Sorting RoomVolunteers are needed for several hours each week to unpack, sort and box donated books for the book sale. Donations must be unpacked and arranged for scanning and sorting, sorted and shelved by category, and boxed for the Book Sale. The ability to lift boxes of books is a plus.

EventsEvents are planned throughout the year to increase the visibility of Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library and to promote membership. These events include the April and December Book Sale Sip & Shop evenings, the Fall Raffle and the Free Summer Raffle for Children. Volunteers are needed to brainstorm, organize and staff events throughout the year.

PublicityVolunteers are needed to assist with email and other media communications to our members and the community, as well as with press releases and other advertising. Basic writing and computer skills are required and computer graphics skills are a plus.

AdministrationVolunteers are periodically needed in the area of finance, database management (membership / volunteers) and website management (updating with current information).